Whispers in the Hollow

Chapter 3: Strange Noises

That night, Sarah settled into her new home, trying to shake off the unease that had followed her throughout the day. She lit candles to ward off the encroaching darkness, casting flickering shadows on the walls. As she sat on the worn couch, the locket resting heavily in her pocket, she couldn’t help but replay the day’s discoveries in her mind.

The stillness of the house was palpable, broken only by the occasional rustle of the wind outside. As the hour grew late, Sarah decided to head to bed, but just as she turned off the last candle, a soft creaking noise echoed through the hallway. She froze, straining to listen.

Was it just the house settling? It had been empty for years. Shaking her head, she dismissed the sound and climbed the stairs, the wood groaning beneath her weight. But as she reached her bedroom, a louder creak resonated behind her, followed by what sounded like whispering.

Heart racing, she spun around, peering into the dark hallway. The air felt thick, and a chill crept down her spine. “Hello?” she called, her voice wavering. Silence answered her.

Determined to brush it off as her imagination, she climbed into bed, pulling the covers tightly around her. But sleep eluded her, the unsettling noises weaving in and out of her consciousness. The whispers grew more distinct, rising and falling like a haunting melody.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. With a deep breath, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stepped into the cold floor. Clutching her phone as a makeshift flashlight, she crept towards the door. The whispers seemed to beckon her, coaxing her into the shadows.

As she moved down the hallway, the noises intensified, swirling around her like a phantom wind. She reached the parlor, where the antique mirror caught her eye, its surface rippling as if alive.

Sarah stepped closer, entranced by the reflection. Just as she reached out to touch it, a loud bang reverberated from the kitchen, startling her back. With her heart pounding, she hurried towards the sound, flashlight beam shaking as it illuminated the dark corners.

The kitchen was empty, but the window was wide open, the curtains billowing like ghostly hands. She closed it, trying to steady her breathing, when she noticed something on the floor—a small, crumpled piece of paper. Kneeling down, she unfolded it, revealing a hastily scrawled message:

“Beware the hollow places.”

Her stomach twisted with dread. What did it mean? Before she could ponder further, a sudden chill swept through the room, and the whispering returned, clearer this time. It sounded like a woman’s voice, pleading.

“Help me…”

Instinctively, Sarah stepped back, heart racing. The temperature dropped further, and she felt an overwhelming presence pressing in on her. She bolted back to her room, slamming the door shut and leaning against it, trying to catch her breath.

In the silence that followed, she resolved to uncover the truth behind the strange noises and the mysterious figure in the mirror. But deep down, she sensed that the house was more than just a relic of the past—it was a keeper of secrets, and it was watching her.